LAUDATO SI’

What kind of world do
we want to leave to those who will come after us? A world full of filth or an
abode of fullness! Have we ever reflected and thought about that? If not, this
is the time to act. Pope Francis is inviting communities around the world to
celebrate Laudato Si’ Week on the fifth anniversary of the encyclical letter from
16th to 24th May, 2020.

Laudato Si’ mi
Signore – “On Care for the Common Home” is the only encyclical focussing specifically
on the global issue of environment from the wider perspective. It was published
on 24th May 2015. The subject of the encyclical highlights the core matter
of “Caring for the Common Home”. It is 184 pages long with deeper reflections and
questions concerning philosophical, theological, anthropological, sociological,
political and environmental nature.

The title of the
social encyclical is an Umbrian phrase from Saint Francis of Assisi’s 13th
century “Canticle of the Sun” also called the Canticle of the Creatures. It is
a poem or prayer in which God is praised for the creation.

In
the Nutshell

We have inflicted
harm on Mother Earth by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods. We often
see ourselves as lords and masters. We plunder her at will. “The earth, our
home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth,” says
Pope Francis. The stress is on ‘the urgent need for a radical change in the
conduct of humanity at large’. Now is the time to be awake, arise and act. The
need of the hour is global ecological change.

There are six
chapters in the encyclical letter having its own significance in the context of
the Churches’ social teachings over the years. They are as follows:-

·
‘
What
is happening to our Common Home’ highlights the issue
of pollution, climate change, issue of water, loss of biodiversity, decline in
quality of life, breakdown in society, global inequality and other matters.

·
‘
The
Gospel of Creation’ throws light on faith, the wisdom of the
Biblical accounts, the mystery of the universe, the harmony of creation and universal
communion.

·
‘
The
Human roots of the Ecological Crisis’ talks about technology,
the globalization of the technocratic paradigm and the effects of modern
anthropocentrism vis-à-vis crisis pertaining to ecology.

·
‘Integral
Ecology’ speaks of environmental, economic and social ecology,
cultural ecology, the principal of Common Good and Justice.

·
‘Lines of
approach and action’ goes in detail focussing on dialogue at
several spheres in order to create dialogical local and global communities.

·
‘Ecological
Education and Spirituality’ tries to lead towards a new
lifestyle, covenant between humanity and the environment, ecological
conversion, and finally love, joy and peace.

Ecological
Concerns

It’s a wakeup call
for the entire humanity to conserve nature, tackle environmental crisis, do
resource management, protect wildlife and care for the flora and fauna present on
the planet earth. The mass destruction and over usage of the natural resources
by human beings have already degraded 60 percent of the ecosystem. We have
consumed enough energy and resources which could have been used by the coming
three generations.

According to me, the
Pontiff raises various responsibilities of every human being towards protecting
nature and tackling environmental crisis. The core issues of climate change,
global warming, green house effect, deforestation, extra use of plastic, throw
away culture, disturbed food chain, manmade natural calamities and destruction
of the planet Earth for economic gains shines out. The document emphasizes on saying
that Nature cannot be seen as something apart from humanity or just as a place
where we live.

The
Biblical Understanding

Pope Francis tries to
present the biblical accounts to signify the importance of creation and the
symbolic portrayal of human beings “created in image and likeness of God’ (cf.
Gen 1:26) as the apex of the creation to take care of all creatures. Here the
Pontiff is trying to relate the significance of creation and human
co-habitation from the context of the Bible. We are part and parcel of this
creation and not apart from it. We are stewards and not lords or masters.

The fact of the
matter is that God created both humans and other creatures. The Pontiff
presents the noble task given to humankind to “till and keep” the world by God
(cf. Gen 2:15). It indicates cultivating, working, ploughing, caring,
protecting, overseeing and preserving. This implies a relationship of mutual
responsibility between human beings and nature with inter-dependence for
co-existence and prosperity.

But the real problem
lies in the fact that human beings no longer see God as the Creator. We look
down on God’s beautiful creation. We are overpowered with anthropocentric
vision. We see ‘other living beings as mere objects subjected to arbitrary
human dominion’.

Environmental
& Technological Crisis

Laudato Si’ agrees
with the scientific arena to say that changes happening in the climate are
largely man-made. The encyclical highlights the role of fossil fuels in causing
climate change and global warming. It is a global problem with greater implications
and consequences for future on matters like environmental, social, economical,
political and developmental.

In the context of the
encyclical, the principal challenges facing humanity in our today’s scenario is
destruction of ecosystem. No doubt that overexploitation of the planet may become
the cause of extinction even of human beings like that of dinosaurs. Loss of
bio-diversity, lack of clean water, lack of food, decline in human life, and
less availability of resources are major issues to be tackled. Recent dangerous
diseases due to Coronaviruses: COVID-19, SARS and MERS are hazardous outcome of
human interference with the nature.

Pope also focuses on
the reckless pursuit of fruits of money or profits by some people. Profit
making business, excessive faith in technology and political short-sightedness
is the cause of mass devastation. Liberation from the dominant technocratic
paradigm is needed. Science and religion can enter into fruitful dialogue for
growth and development of humanity. Pope says that poor nations will bear the
brunt of ill effects. He insists that the world must ‘hear the cry of the earth
and the cry of the poor’. He urges all to solve social, environmental and
technological crises holistically. Thus, we need to take care of our ‘Common
Home’ – planet Earth.

Integral
Ecology

The encyclical very
specially calls for discussion and dialogue between religions, countries and
authorities of all sorts. The purpose behind this objective is to conserve the
nature. Pope Francis says, “The concern for the natural world is no longer
optional but is an integral part of the Church teaching on Social justice.”

Laudato Si raises the
issue of dignity, respect and rights of the nature and human beings at large. Reading
the signs of the time and space in the context is possible through charity
approach, development approach and justice approach. An appropriate society and
the earth are possible if we human beings strive towards that goal of creating
a Cosmic Order or Justice. Although, this task seems to be a difficult one but
not an impossible one if there is perspectival change from anthropocentric notion
to cosmocentric approach for a better world.

Nature cannot be seen
as something apart from humanity. We are part and parcel of ecology. Only a healthy
environment and biodiversity can help us sustain and survive for years to come.
But we need to pause and think twice before destroying the environment and
utilizing excessively the natural resources that is sufficient for coming three
generations.

I feel that the
encyclical Laudato Si’ gives us a message for our lives. The call is to
eradicate selfishness and imbibe selflessness in care and protection of the
planet Earth. It’s a dialogical orientation to construct communion, fellowship,
and love between humans and nature. What we need is not just sustainable
development, but the practice of a sustainable way of life for the common good of
all.

Finally, an integral
or cosmic ecology includes taking time to recover a serene harmony with
creation, reflecting on our lifestyle, behavioural change, and our ideals and
contemplating on the Creator who lives amongst us. It’s a planetary orientation
to build a better planet and future for the coming generations.